Decline Code 12: Invalid Transaction

The credit card decline code “12: Invalid Transaction” generally means that the transaction being attempted is not allowed for the cardholder’s account. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as an error in the transaction’s input details, or a restriction on the card or merchant account that prevents the transaction type or method being used. For example, it might occur if a card is restricted from making purchases in a foreign currency, or if there is an error in the way the transaction is being processed. When this code is received, it’s advisable for the merchant to ask the customer to contact their card issuer for more specific information on why the transaction was not approved.